Melinda, who decided to close her, "First Lady of Magic,"
show on Sep. 8 explained why in a Las Vegas Review-Journal article.
The article reported that she, "…is hanging up her title to try to
start a family with her husband, local restaurateur Mark Evansvold."
Melinda explained, "I've been trying for a year… but it's very hard
with the show and the stress of working. This type of show is very
hard for me." Asked if she will come back to performing she said,
"If we have a family, I'm going to take it from there. I may decide
I really like being a mom." To read the Aug. 25 article by Mike
Weatherford titled "Melinda ready for next stage" click:
HERE.(8/26)

Brian Ross Flora (June 14, 1950-Aug. 24, 2002) died on Saturday Aug.
24 at the age of 52. Flora was the founder of Flora & Company which produced
many instructional videos, audio tapes and books. Based out of Albuquerque,
New Mexico he performed under the names Professor Flora and Ian Ross.(8/26)

Criss
Angel is featured in a New York Post article that opens, "Harry
Houdini may be long dead, but he's got a new challenger." The
article reported on his upcoming stunt, Submerged, and that "the
outcome became a little murkier last Monday, when Angel passed out
during a practice run." The article also pointed out that, "Angel
has spent hours preparing, meditating and coordinating to make sure
that the stunt goes off as planned. The consequences would be too
dire if it didn't." To read the Aug. 25 article by Will Romano
titled "Houdini Jr.?" click:
HERE.(8/26)

Steven Max Droge who performs under the name "Magic By Max"
will be entertaining the crowds at the Chase Manhattan Bank (3 Times
Square) in New York City on Monday Aug. 26 at 10am-1pm and on
Tuesday Aug. 27 at 1pm-4pm.(8/26)

Criss Angel's stunt on Monday Aug. 26 is described in an
Associated Press article as, "Shackled and submerged in a
phone-booth-sized tank of water in Times Square, Criss Angel
meditated to pass the time Monday - and probably to calm his
nerves." The article points out that "Angel looked like a heavy
metal singer trapped in an aquarium, with black nail polish on his
fingers and toes, hoops and studs in his ears, and long brown hair
in skinny braids swirling in the water. His arms and legs were
shackled to his waist and neck, and he wore a scuba-like breathing
regulator and mask." The stunt is scheduled to end live on Good
Morning America (ABC-TV) at 8:30am ET. To read the Aug. 26 article
by Sara Kugler titled "Illusionist attempts 24-hour underwater
stunt" click:
HERE.(8/27)

Harry Anderson comes back to television in a cameo spot as Bull
Cracker on "The Long Hot Johnson" episode of "Son of the Beach" which will
premiere on Tuesday Aug. 27 at 10pm on the FX channel. It will be re-run on
Aug. 30 at 10:30pm ET.(8/27)

Criss Angel in an ABC News article that reports about his
submerged stunt and officially releases the air date of his "Criss
Angel Mindfreak" television special which will broadcast on Oct. 20
at 9pm ET on the ABCFamily channel. To read the Aug. 26 article
titled "Magician Criss Angel in 24-Hour Water Tourture Routine"
click:
HERE.(8/27)

Phil Schwartz is featured in a Sun-Sentinel article that
announced his retirement and his future plans, "…to focus on family,
real estate investments, poker and -- as an amateur magician -- his
magic skills." To read the Aug. 26 article by Jeffery D. Zbar titled
"An old advertising pro decides it's time for retirement" click:
HERE.(8/27)

The "All India Conference of Magicians" which takes place on
October 21-23 is featured in a Hindustan Times article. To read the
Aug. 26 article titled "All India Magicians conference in October"
click:
HERE.(8/27)

Criss
Angel's Submerged stunt was picked up by many TV stations and
newspapers around the world. The Associated Press story which was
reprinted in dozens of newspapers and on websites gave a detailed
account of how it ended, "His skin crinkled and his eyes bloodshot,
illusionist Criss Angel emerged Tuesday morning after spending 24
hours in a Times Square water chamber." The last moments of the
escape were recapped as, "Angel yanked out the air hose that allowed
him to breathe. Then assistants pulled a black curtain over the
220-gallon chamber to block the view of television cameras and about
100 people gathered outside the window in which he was displayed.
…Under cover, Angel apparently escaped from the shackles that bound
his arms, legs and neck, before pulling himself from the watery
chamber with a celebratory scream." At the conclusion Angel vomited,
passed out and "was loaded onto an ambulance, which took him to St.
Clare's Hospital in midtown." To read the Aug. 27 article by Ted
Shaffrey titled "Underwater Illusionist Finishes Quest" click:
HERE.(8/28)

A Reuters story describes Criss Angel as, "A New York
illusionist emerged shaken and exhausted on Tuesday morning after
spending a full day shackled and submerged in a water tank the size
of a telephone booth." To read the Aug. 27 article titled New York
Illusionist Spends 24 Hours in Water Tank" click:
HERE.(8/28)

The conclusion to Criss Angel's stunt is described an Ananova
article that summarized, "He thanked his family and friends and then
passed out." To read the Aug. 27 article titled "Illusionist emerges
after 24 hours underwater" click:
HERE.(8/28)

Criss Angel's event is described in the New York Daily News
as "the latest test of endurance and showmanship by modern-day
illusionists using Times Square as the backdrop." To read the Aug.
27 article by Ralph R. Ortega titled "Illusionist makes splash with
Times Square stunt" click:
HERE.(8/28)

Criss Angel in a Submerged article in the New York Post which
touts a rivalry between him and David Blaine reported that "A
spokeswoman for Blaine, who has stood inside a block of ice and on a
flagpole in Bryant Park, scoffed at the challenge, saying: "David is
out of the country, and he doesn't care." To read the Aug. 27
article by Bill Hoffman titled "H2O-Dini Takes The Plunge" click:
HERE.(8/28)

Jason Michaels and Nelson star in his new show "Magic:
Pursuit Of A Dream" on Aug. 31 and Sep. 1. at Volunteer State
Community College's Wemyss Auditorium (1480 Nashville Pike) in
Gallatin, TN. Shows run on Saturday at 5pm and 8pm and on Sunday at
3:30pm. Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the theater
on the day of performance.(8/28)

Brett Daniels' rehearsals for his upcoming three-month tour
through China is reported in The Democrat. The tour includes
appearances "…in five major cities in China from September 21
through December 1. After that tour is over, he may be performing in Beruit, Lebanon." To read the Aug. 27 article by La Juan Tallo
titled "Making magic in Looxahoma" click:
HERE.(8/28)

Harry Houdini's popularity and career are in a Birmingham
Post article that reports that the "…incredible illusionist and
escapologist extraordinaire of yesteryear, is back in the limelight
once more, almost 80 years after his death." The report on the
recent stamp and give a brief history of his career. To read the
Aug. 24 article by Harry Hawkes titled "Antiques and collecting"
supplied by Infoseek and YellowBrix click:
HERE.(8/28)

Matthew Haicken who is studying magic at the H. Adrian Smith
Collection of Conjuring and Magicana located at the Brown University
in Providence, RI. A Providence Journal article quotes Haicken about
the collection, "It's like the Pentagon… You have to be buzzed into
a room. You're not allowed to go in the stacks, check out books or
bring in pens or backpacks." To read the Aug. 26 article titled "Now
You See It - Aspiring magician learns the tricks of his trade at
Brown library" supplied by YellowBrix and Infoseek click:
HERE.(8/28)

Jason Byers is featured in The Idaho Statesman where they
describe his recent "Grand Illusions" show with Jake Robinson and
also give a brief history of their careers so far. To read the Aug.
27 article by Mike Butts titled "There’s no trick to entertaining
for these high school magicians" click:
HERE.(8/28)

Criss
Angel is pictured, on Tuesday August 26, after being
Submerged in a Water Torture Cell on Times Square in
New York City. He remained in the 220-Gallon tank
through the day and escaped from the shackles and
the tank on Tuesday morning Aug. 27. (Photo: Rene
Clement).(8/28)

"The
Theory and Art of Magic, Series II" at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania
begins on Aug. 29 with the introductory course by Dr. Lawrence Hass titled
"What is the Theory and Art of Magic?" The series runs from Aug. 29 through
Nov. 21 with performances and lectures by Max Maven, Jeff McBride, Marc DeSouza, Robert Neale, Eugene Burger and Rene Lavand. The first series took
place in 1999 and was a huge success being described as "a scholarly
celebration of the magical arts." In the past the events have sold out so if
you can make it you should reserve in advance. Tickets and information for
all the events are available from the college box office by phoning:
484-664-3333 or clicking:
HERE.(8/29)

R.J. Lewis and Christina Racek who star in "Stage Struck" are
reviewed in Theater Mania where Lewis and the show are described as,
"Stage Struck will strike a chord with anyone who believes in the
magic of theater. 'Do what you were born to do,' Lewis tells us, and
watching the passionate abandon with which he performs, it's
abundantly clear that this talented performer has taken his own
advice." To read the Aug. 21 review by J. Cooper Robb titled "Stage
Struck" click:
HERE.(8/29)

Criss Angel's publicist released a story that Angel expects
to continue performing his show Mindfreak as early as Friday night
and will be announcing the plans for his next stunt shortly. To read
the Aug. 27 press release titled "Master Illusionist Criss Angel
Emerges From Water Tank After Being Submerged for Over 24 Hours"
click:
HERE.(8/29)

Criss Angel health is covered in the New York Post which
reported that "He was listed in good condition late yesterday and
was expected to be released today." To read the Aug. 28 article by
Bill Hoffman titled "Dehydrated Magic Man Under-Watered" click:
HERE.(8/29)

A Criss Angel follow-up story by the Associated Press
reported that "Doctors were treating him for dehydration and keeping
his body wrapped in blankets to raise his body temperature." To read
the Aug. 28 article titled "Docs: Angel Weak But Improving" click:
HERE.(8/29)

Magicians in northern England are once again able to use
rabbits while performing on City Council property. An Associated
Press article quotes Martin Duffy who pointed out the importance of
livestock in children's magic shows, "The whole show builds up to
the climax of the rabbit appearing, the kids expect it." In a
related story, "a Newcastle council employee had banned a clown from
performing a traditional Punch and Judy show because the knockabout
puppets could encourage domestic violence." To read the Aug. 28
article titled "Rabbit ban misses by a hare" click:
HERE.(8/29)

David
Copperfield who has just returned from at tour through China
performed for more than 200,000 fans who paid more than US $15
million to see him. An average ticket during the tour ranged from
$70-$240 per person with the largest audience of around 80,000
people caught the show at the Beijing Capital Arena. To read the
Aug. 29 press release titled "David Copperfield Shatters Records in
China" click:
HERE.(8/30)

Michael
Jackson mentions David Blaine after receiving the "Artist of the
Millennium" award at the 19th annual Video Music Awards
show on Aug. 29. An MTV article reported, "Jackson then went on to
thank everyone from God and his family to street magician David
Blaine, whom he said he really believes in." To read the Aug. 29
article by Joe D'Angelo titled "Eminem, White Stripes Set Pace So
Far; TLC's Chilli, T- Boz Remember Left Eye" click:
HERE.(8/30)
--Turns out that due to confusion Jackson never received an
award--but thought he did.(8/30)

A
Criss Angel follow-up story in the New York Daily News that reported
what happened at the conclusion of the stunt, "…he quickly developed
trouble breathing and holding his head up - and passed out in front
of the horrified audience." Describing what he looked like at the
end, "The rigors of the stunt were evident from Angel's face,
swollen from a diving mask, and jaw, sore from a breathing tube.
Also, his hands and feet were severely wrinkled." To read the Aug.
29 article by Ralph R. Ortega titled "Daredevil's collapse caps
water tank stunt" click:
HERE.(8/30)

The Estate of William Spencer will be auctioning his
magic collection on Saturday Sep. 21 at the Knights of Columbus
(2100 E. 71st St.) in Indianapolis, IN. The collection will
feature thousands of books, periodicals, posters and even a letter
from Houdini to Keller. Other highlights include a John Rogers
"The Traveling Magician" statue, several signed Goldston books,
Parlour Magic (1838), Hocus Pocus (1886), a number of Robert-Houdin
books from the 1800s, Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft (1830),
many first edition Hoffman books, and a large number of items
which are more than 100 years old. The auction is being handled by
Robert J. Brown Appraisal Services. A preview will be held on Sep.
20. For more information, a listing of the items and a
downloadable list click:
HERE.(8/31)

The Tony Curtis version of "Houdini" and "The Mad Magician"
starring Vincent Price are being presented as "a double feature
fund-raiser this weekend for the Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie
Museum." A Bristol Press article gives insight about both movies and
reports that "In addition to the feature films, [Cortlandt] Hull
will make a short presentation on Price, whom he knew personally."
To read the Aug. 30 article by Jackie Majerus titled "Catch Houdini
film before it disappears" click:
HERE.(8/31)

David Copperfield who appears at the MGM Grand through Sep. 4
is featured in a Showbiz Weekly article that recaps his career and
mentions some of the newer illusions he will be performing. Asked
about what he has left to, "Copperfield said he's always wanted to
put a woman's face on Mt. Rushmore, straighten the Leaning Tower of
Pisa and vanish the moon."To read the Sep. 1-7 article by Carla
Zvosec titled "Portal To The Unknown" click:
HERE.(8/31)

Andy Tate who does magic while calling bingo is feature in a
Chester-le-Street article reports that "has been a huge hit with
players at Testo's bingo club in Consett, County Durham, since he
started eight months ago." He is also a finalist in "the Bingo
Caller of the Year contest, taking place in Manchester on September
26." To read the Aug. 30 article titled "Eyes down, look in, for a
magic caller with winning way" click:
HERE.(8/31)

Max
Maven appears at "The Theory and Art of Magic, Series II" in
Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. "Max Maven In Concert" takes
place on Sep. 4 at 8pm the Baker Theater and a Performance-Lecture
will be presented on Sep. 5 at 7:30pm at the Recital Hall. Maven
will also present a lecture for magicians only on Tuesday Sep. 3, at
7pm at The Hoffman House (325 N. 23rd Street). Cost for the lecture
is $30 per person at the door. Tickets and information for all the
events are available from the college box office by phoning:
484-664-3333 or clicking:
HERE.(9/1)

A Criss Angel update in Newsday reported that Angel, "…made
his first post-hospitalization appearance, bearing a wound under his
nose from his breathing apparatus." Angel commented, "My nose is the
scar I bear… I hope this thing disappears in the next week or two."
To read the Aug. 31 article by Robert Kahn titled "Notes From
Backstage" click:
HERE.(9/1)

NEW YORK: Michel Clavello & Greco appear and lecture on
Thursday Sep. 5 at 7pm at Michael Canick Booksellers (200 East
82nd Street, #3B) in New York City. Admission is $25 in advance or
$30 at the door. For more information phone: 212-585-2990.(9/1)